I was wondering what sonically happens when you combine a preamp and power amp from 2 different manufactures? For instance, I have a Rotel preamp, and naturally was going to buy the matching power amp, but found a good deal on a NAD power amp. Which will be the predominant component-in other words...will my system have the NAD sound or sound like the Rotel? I always thought that the Power amp section is what gives the sonic character, and the preamp is just really a source selector, and volumn control. Would it just be better to match the pre/Pwr amps from the same company?

I think it should be okay to mix and match but be aware of the 2-prong vs 3-prong plugs. They have very different signal grounds that can potentially cause hum and noise and cancel out the advantage of balanced connections.

part of the idea of going with separates is that it gives you the ability to mix and match. Perhaps you need a lot of power, but like tube sound, you could mix a tube preamp with a solid-state power amp.